Halfbloods, also known as malisons,[1] were a subrace[6] of the yuan-ti, a psionic race of serpent-men. Halfblood was not a precise category but generally referred to a yuan-ti with half human-like and half snake-like features, which shared certain common abilities.[3]

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There was great variety among the yuan-ti halfbloods. Not only did they come in several general body types, but they also tended to show variations in scale patterns and colors, much like natural snakes. Four in ten halfbloods had the body of an agile, sharp-featured human but with a serpent head and scales. Some varieties had hoods like cobras,[3] such as those halfbloods who were members of House Hss'tafi.[11]

The remaining 60% of halfbloods fell into three remaining variations. Some had the lower body of a snake instead of legs, others had a snake-like tail, and still others had snake-like arms in place of normal arms.[3]

Halfbloods tended to have body masses and sizes in the same range as humans.[3]

Like all true yuan-ti, halfbloods had psionic powers. All yuan-ti, by force of will alone, could morph their bodies into the form of any viper and sense the presence of any poison nearby. Moreover, they were innately resistant to magic.[10] In addition to these common powers, halfbloods could psionically entrance animals and instill fear or suggest actions to those of weak will power. They could also control small plants, vines, and weeds by thought, much like the entangle spell, call forth magical darkness, and neutralize any poison.[3]

Halfbloods could change the color of their skin and scales to match their environments, much like a chameleon. Their bodies also oozed an acidic secretion, and they had poisonous bites.[3] Halfbloods from House Sseradess could breathe underwater.[12]

Those halfbloods with tails could use them to constrict opponents or to climb or swim.[3] Some of them, particularly many from House Eselemas,[13] had prehensile tails.[14] Those with snake torsos in place of legs from House Sauringar were known to be able to puff up their bodies to look larger and more threatening.[15]

Halfbloods with snake-like arms could bite with the fangs at the end of each appendage.[3]

Like most yuan-ti, halfbloods tended to be self-absorbed and arrogant.[7][6] They tended to be far more intelligent than their pureblood kin[10][3]—though slightly less intelligent than the abominations[3]—and were always plotting and scheming.[7]

In combat, they let the weaker purebloods fight first, while they stayed in hiding and used range weapons or their psionic abilities to confound their foes. If the purebloods failed, then they would join into melee combat.[3]

Yuan-ti followed a strict hierarchical system: The halfbloods receive orders from the abominations, and in turn the halfbloods rule over the purebloods.[6][17] The halfbloods often served as captains or elite troops[5] and were the bulk of yuan-ti defenses.[18]

The vast majority of yuan-ti, halfbloods included, worshiped the god Sseth.[5][16] Halfbloods played a special role in the religion of Sseth in that almost all of his priests were halfbloods of the serpent-headed variety.[19]

Like all true yuan-ti, halfbloods were created millennia ago by the sarrukh, one of the creator races, in magical, controlled breeding experiments combining humans, serpents, and sarrukh themselves.[20]